Layer-Cake Desert-1 – Spike’s Tumbling Desert

This Star Coin waits right at the start of the level. Knock off the spike and hop onto the block to reach the first Star Coin.

Just after the first Star Coin should be a Spike waiting inside a small alcove in the hill. Defeat it and continue walking left to discover a hidden area with the second Star Coin.

Towards the end of the level should be another Star Coin being guarded by a Spike. Hit the P-switch and hop onto the brick blocks. Make your way to the Spike, defeat it and collect the third Star Coin.

Layer-Cake Desert-2 – Underground Grrrols

After entering the cave, wait for the Grrrol to roll by and take out the Pokey underneath. Stand where the Pokey stood for first Star Coin to appear.

You’ll come across a P-switch in front of a row of smashing blocks. Hit the switch and run through the blocks. About halfway will be the second Star Coin, so make sure to jump at that point.

To the left of the pipe that takes you to the end of the level is a giant Grrrol. Right above is the third Star Coin. Simply time your jump and grab it!

Layer-Cake Desert-3 – Piranhas in the Dark

Above the first Piranha Plant you see is the first Star Coin. Time your jump and snag it!

Right before the block with the Glowing Baby Yoshi is a Giant Piranha Plant covering the second Star Coin. Use a Fire Flower to defeat it and collect the Star Coin.

This one can get difficult as you need to keep the Fire Flower power-up until the end of the level. The second to last pipe, the green one coming from the ceiling, has a Giant Piranha Plant that must be defeated. Enter the pipe and the third Star Coin will be yours.

Layer-Cake Desert-Tower – Wind-Up Tower

After the spinning the first corkscrew to its maximum, hop up the blocks and snasg the first Star Coin before it disappears behind the middle block.

Just like the first Star Coin, spin the second corkscrew to its maximum and hop up the blocks. Grab the second Star Coin before it vanishes behind the right wall.

And finally, spin the third corkscrew to its maximum and hop up the blocks once again. If you do it fast enough, the third Star Coin will still be out before it slips behind the left wall.

Layer-Cake Desert-4 – The Walls Have Eyes ★

As you are running through the passage of moving giant stone heads, you’ll notice the first Star Coin in front of one of the stone heads. Ground pound it to have it sink in the sand, giving you access to the Star Coin.

When you reach the area with two stone heads with palm trees on their tops, ground pound the stone head in the middle. Jump to reveal a hidden block with a beanstalk, then climb up to a Coin Heaven where the second Star Coin waits.

You’ll see the third Star Coin floating over a bottomless pit. Wait for the stone heads to move, then jump and star wall jumping back and forth between the two stone heads. Once the move again, make it back to safety.

Right after the area with the second Star Coin is a section with a tiny green pipe to the right. Ground pound this area to discover a hidden pipe that will blast you into the sky. Hop onto the giant stone heads until you reach the secret exit!

Layer-Cake Desert-5 – Stone Spike Conveyors

Right at the start, simply defeat the Spike on the moving platform or stand next to it. The platform will move right into the first Star Coin.

There will be a Spike on a tall red mushroom platform. Hop onto the red mushroom platform and use the Spike to give you a boost to the Star Coin on the right.

While riding the platform that takes you right to the flagpole, allow the platform to dip low enough to touch the Star Coin, then jump off onto the flagpole.

Layer-Cake Desert-6 – Spinning Sandstones

When you are running through the area with the River Piranha Plants (the ones that spit out a spiked ball), you’ll notice the first Star Coin hanging just below one of the spiked balls. Do a low jump to grab the Star Coin and continue running along.

When you are in the area with the Stalking Piranha Plants (the ones that stretch out), you’ll see a platform under the hole in the background. Jump to discover a hidden block with a beanstalk that takes you up to a Coin Heaven with the second Star Coin.

Just after the area with the Red Coins and Lakitu, don’t jump up onto the next platform, and instead keep running right. You should find a hidden area with the third Star Coin.

Layer-Cake Desert-Castle – Morton’s Lava Block Castle

After the area with the Red Coins is a section with brick blocks, including the first Star Coin surrounded by brick blocks. You will need a Mushroom or any other power-up that will allow you to break the bricks to get in.

You’ll come across an area where three platforms separate and reveal a Star Coin in the middle. You will have to jump on the middle platform, wait until it lowers enough for you to grab the Star Coin, then jump off onto the platform on the right or the left.

Right at the end, wait for the platform to start rising out of the lava, then run across and jump at the end. This will give you the boost to snag the Star Coin floating over the boss door.

Layer-Cake Desert-Ice – Slippery Rope

Use the Secret Exit in Layer-Cake Desert-6 to reach this level!

You’ll see the first Star Coin floating on the side of a wall over a bottomless pit. Jump on the wall and slide until you grab the Star Coin, then wall jump on the nearby ladder.

As you are climbing the rope near all the Venus Fire Traps, hop onto the ladder on the left and climb on to claim the second Star Coin.

This one is easier with a Fire Flower but can be done without one. Tow Fire Bros. guard a frozen Star Coin. Stand on a higher ledge and allow the to melt all the ice. Then, defeat them both and grab the last Star Coin.